Monetary Policy
Zimbabwe: Interest rates drop as inflation falls
This article is from Zimbabwe's Financial Gazette said that a surprise fall in Zimbabwe's inflation rate should be viewed a temporary. The subsequent reductions in interest rates by the central bank are therefore short-term, says the article.
Spanish inflation sticks at 5-yr high in November
Spanish inflation rose to 4.1% annually in November, stuck around a near five-year high amid fears of a price-wage spiral and a civil sector protest over loss of purchasing power.
Economists agree-Bush should befriend Greenspan
This article by Jacob M. Schlesinger from the Wall Street Journal says that the new US president, George W Bush, should learn to cultivating the US Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan.
Bank of France predicts robust growth
Despite growing signs of a slowdown in the U.S. and sputtering growth in Germany, the French economy remains remarkably robust, economists say.
What the BoE can learn from the Federal Reserve
In a "Letter to the Editor" in the Financial Times, Blair Baker says what the Bank of England can learn from the Federal Reserve, following Don Kohn's report on the problems with the BoE inflation forecast.
SNB must guard against currency appreciation-OECD
The monetary policy of the Swiss National Bank is currently appropriate for domestic economic conditions, but the SNB must monitor the effect of European Central Bank rate policy on exchange rates and guard against too sharp a rise in the Swiss franc…
ECB Vanhala says Eurozone inflation close to peak
European Central Bank governing council member Matti Vanhala on Thursday reiterated that the euro zone was close to its inflation peak but said the risks to price stability were still "upwards".
Uganda cenbank says to tighten monetary policy
Uganda's central bank on Thursday announced a rise in commercial bank reserve requirements from next week in a bid to stem inflationary pressures from the weakening shilling.
Duisenberg comments on Greek EMU entry
European Central Bank president Wim Duisenberg made the following comments at a news conference on Thursday concerning Greece's entry into the eurozone: "It is indeed an historic moment and a very satisfying and gratifying moment."
Dutch ctrl bk sees 2001 CPI 4.2%, a 17-year high
Dutch consumer prices are set to grow 4.2% in 2001, the highest growth level since 1983, the Dutch Central Bank said Wednesday in its quarterly report.
Norges Bank leaves key lending rates unchanged
Norges Bank, the Norwegian central bank, left its key lending rates unchanged as expected at Wednesday's regular monetary policy meeting and maintained a neutral stance regarding future decisions.
Bank of Sudan lowers reserves ratio
The governor of the Sudanese central bank, Mr Saber Mohammed Al-Mahdi, said that the Bank had decided to lower the cash reserves ratio in the local commercial banks from 15% to 10%.
Mercosur sets macroeconomic convergence targets
The Southern Cone Common Market, or Mercosur, on Wednesday announced macroeconomic convergence targets, including fiscal and inflationary goals, top officials said.
Strong growth unlikely soon,despite signs-CNB Tuma
Czech National Bank governor Zdenek Tuma said Wednesday that although the economy has exhibited many positive signs in the past year, strong growth is unlikely in the near term.
Lebanon Salameh sees great potential in economy
Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh says he believes that the economy could see healthy growth next year if the country does not suffer from increased regional instability.
IMF X-rays Romanian economy
Romania's progress in reaching stability and continuing reforms is important but insufficient compared with other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, a report of the International Monetary Fund about Romania's economic evolution over the last two…
China WTO to boost HK banks, GDP growth - HKMA
China's looming entry into the World Trade Organisation will boost financial services and raise Hong Kong gross domestic product growth by upto 1%, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the territory's de facto central bank.
IMF warns of deepening economic crisis in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe faces a "deepening" economic crisis unless the government reverses its missteps of the past two years by cutting back on defense and public sector wages, the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday.
Buba's Welteke says ECB rates appropriate now
Bundesbank President Ernst Welteke said on Tuesday that current Eurozone interest rates were appropriate and reiterated that the European Central Bank's monetary policy was not hampering economic growth.
Czech central bank concerned about external growth
A possible slowdown of Western European economies is identified as a risk to growth in the coming months, according to minutes released Tuesday by the Czech National Bank from the most recent policy meeting.
Dutch inflation harms competitive position-Wellink
The Netherlands' competitive position is deteriorating due to inflation above the European average and higher wage demands, Dutch central bank president Nout Wellink said in an interview with a Dutch newspaper.
Manila may cut reserve requirements in January
Philippine central bank governor Rafael Buenaventura said the bank may delay lowering bank reserve requirements until January next year.
Brazil cbank chief loses cool in Congress hearing
Brazil's master of monetary policy, central bank chief Arminio Fraga, lost his calm demeanor for once on Tuesday in a rare outburst, slamming a left-wing lawmaker who accused the bank of not doing enough to cut interest rates.
Uruguay to see 2% growth in 2001
Uruguay's economy minister said Tuesday he expects the small South American economy to shake two years of recession and economic stagnation and grow by 2% in 2001.